LINDEN - Tensions remain high in the Linden Unified School District, where parents have expressed frustration and distrust in Superintendent Michael Gonzales.

The district announced last week that Chief Business Officer Corey Reihl has taken medical leave, and speculation is rampant that he did so as a pre-emptive strike against what many have called a "hostile work environment" with a trail to the superintendent's office.

Christina Capra, a parent and a spokeswoman for a Waverly Elementary School parent group upset over Principal Lisa Pettis taking leave to cope with job-related stress, said they are calling for Gonzales' resignation. Capra called him "corrupt" and alleges he doesn't hold proper credentials to be a top educator.

Capra said people want answers as to why the district is losing so many employees stemming back to the fall, when former Assistant Superintendent Jane Steinkamp left to take a job at the San Joaquin County Office of Education.

In a recent phone interview, Gonzales declined to address rumors regarding his dealings with district personnel. He said he district has consulted legal counsel, and whether he has a teaching credential "is not an issue." He denied that any grievances or other employee complaints have been filed against him.

San Joaquin County Office of Education attorney Chet Quaide said he has not been made aware of any formal complaints.

Hundreds of parents, however, have complained informally. Waverly parents kept their children home from school in a sickout protest on April 12. A second sickout had been scheduled for today, according to a Facebook page titled "Linden Schools Concerned Parents."

Today's sickout was postponed, according to a Facebook post late Friday. However, there was a call for the community to attend a Wednesday special board meeting. The parent group said on Facebook that it fears the board will approve a motion to declare that Gonzales can remain superintendent without a teaching credential.

"There has been word that the board is considering creating a 'special waiver' that would essentially cover up the fact that it was a mistake for hiring a Superintendent that is not qualified for the job," the Facebook post states

The first sickout cost the district thousands of dollars in attendance money, since state funding is based on average daily enrollment. Capra said their message is clear.

"We're just tired of everything being swept under the rug. There is so much mayhem (at Waverly School) right now. We've never had mayhem, ever," Capra said.

Capra said the Board of Trustees has shown poor judgement in how it is hiring administrators through head-hunting firms.

Parents and teachers filled the high school multipurpose room at a school board meeting on April 17 and voiced distrust of Gonzales. Much of the commentary reflected on the status of Pettis, who took medical leave claiming "stress and a hostile work environment."

Reihl's leave was made public on April 17, adding to the public's scorn.

Gonzales said "to be honest I haven't talked to (Reihl)," explaining why he didn't know the exact reason for Reihl's leave. Gonzales said he's now taking on the business officer's duties along with human resources and other superintendent duties.

Waverly parent and school volunteer Jamie Lowy said in an email that a breakdown in communication between Reihl and Gonzales in the process of the district applying for federal funding has been a root cause of some ire.

Gonzales said he wants to work through the drama.

"We're working with the county to make sure we're covered while we are short-staffed," Gonzales said. "If there are any concerns, my goal is to work through them. I want to get back to focusing on kids. That's what education is about."